This meeting was supposed to address traffic issues for both projects, but as studies for both projects had not been completed, the analysis of traffic issues was held for a later meeting. This meeting basically just readdressed some issues that had been raised previously.
Shattuck Rd. Project
A fair amount of time was spent on sewer issues for this project. This project would attach to a private sewer system, and a number of corporate abutters who currently own and maintain this system questioned whether the system could also support the new project. There was discussion about getting a peer review of the sewer system. It seems that the corporate abutters also had other issues with this project and a few of them have hired their own attorneys to represent them in this process. The corporate abutters are probably in the best position to fight this project going forward.
Rolling Green
This project has now been reduced to 240 units (for comparison purposes, Windsor Green Apartments total 190 units) - 50 one bedroom units, 100 one bedroom plus “library” units, 70 two bedroom units and 20 three bedroom units. The developers said that any further reduction in number of units would make the development uneconomical.
The ZBA is in the process of selecting a peer reviewer for conservation issues. The ZBA mentioned that there is a wetland under the local bylaws that would be filled by a building under the developers’ current site plan. The ZBA made it clear that they would not grant a waiver of the local bylaws unless the developer could show that the project would be uneconomical without the waiver. Someone from the conservation commission also mentioned that there are a number of monitoring wells on the property, and that they need to figure out how these wells are impacted by the project.
The ZBA pushed the developers to provide more information on both the economic analysis and conservation issues. It seemed like the ZBA felt that the developers were dragging their feet in providing the information the ZBA needed to make its decision.
The developers did say they would agree to a restriction that would permit these units from ever being converted into condos. They also said that they would agree to limit their use of the access easement to Greenwood Road to pedestrian access only.
Future ZBA Meetings
1/17/12 – 7 p.m. – Cont. Public Hearings – 40B proposals Andover Apts. @ Rolling Green & The Lodge @ Andover - The Hall, 2nd floor, Memorial Hall Library, 2 Elm Sq., Andover
2/15/12 – Joint ZBA & Conservation Commission meeting re: 40B’s, 7 p.m. Public Safety Ctr Training Rm, 1st floor, 32 N. Main Street, Andover
The statement they made that: “below 240-units the development is uneconomical” is complete B.S. What they mean is that the end Buyer is paying Cormier too much for the land and wants 240-units!
Thre is No parking strcuture, maybe some elevators, no massive road – why is it uneconomical? Complete BS. This deal would still work at 125 units
one bed plus library = two beds, unless the library is so small that it would not fit a bed for an elementary school kid